Mexico

Another view of the room

Two Osprey flying over the resort, one morning we got to watch one dive completely into the ocean and come up with a good sized fish.

Another shot of the osprey.

Albatross, they spend 90% of their lives in flight landing to breed and that's about it.

Another shot of the osprey.

Looking out our balcony

This is Xel-Ha, it's a Mayan word pronounced Shell Ha. It's a natural waterpark where you can snorkel, kayak, and several other activities. We only spent a short time here since we were also going to the ruins at Tulum. Talked Joan into doing the Sea Trek Adventure, where they put a diving helmet on you and lead you underwater to see the fish. The assisting divers had to hold her down, she kept bobbing up like a cork!

Another view of Xel-Ha

This is the opening to the ancient Mayan Port of Xel-Ha, as you can see the red flag is out and the seas are very rough.

Rough shoreline but things still find a way to grow.

Looking northward from the lighthouse.

Looking back at the lighthouse, Joan safely on the main path.

Small tidal pool that they built a stairway access to.

Another shot of the opening to the Port

Looking back into the Port from the lighthouse area.

The lighthouse

Joan making faces at me, probably for talking her into the Sea Trek Adventure.

A very cool tree

Right in the middle there are two birds, our guide called them Jades.

Here's a closer view

I forget exactly what they called this tree, but the Mayans revered it as an example of the afterlife. Looks a bit thorny to me.

This is one of the gates to enter the walled city of Tulum. Only one person at a time could pass so it was easily defended. Only the High Priest, his family and the Royal family lived inside the wall, all the lower classes had to leave each evening to their dwellings outside.

That's our guide Santos on the right.

One of the lookout towers on the wall

This is the highest altar in Tulum, surrounded by several smaller altars.

One of the Royal Residences

Mexican chicken

Depiction of the Descending God

Look close at the top of the opening and you'll see a small hole in the opposite wall. On the sunrise of the Spring & Fall Equinox, the sun shines thru this hole and strikes the corner of the High Priest's Residence.

The High Priest's Residence

Information about the Mayan Gods

Can you see the face?

How about now? See the profile?

This oblisk marked a special occasion but was too damaged to decipher. The covering is modern to protect what remains.

Santos shows us the Mayan numbering system, pretty advanced if you ask me.

Tulum is surrounded by walls on three sides and a cliff to the sea on the remaining side.

Close up of the highest altar

Close up of a few of the surrounding smaller altars, and yes they did sacrifice humans. Mostly volunteers, (Mayans had a god for suicides and revered those who chose to end their lives), prisoners or slaves.

View looking off the cliff, I can see why they chose this spot.

Grey pelican, the staff at the resort calls flocks of these the "Mexican Airforce"

This is a Cenot, the Spanish couldn't pronounce it as the Mayan word so they add an "e" to the end and say "Cenote" Basically a well, the Mayans held it as a spiritual place since it was also used for bathing.

Close up of the Cenot, our guide said it would have been kept in much better shape when it was in use, but sure does remind me "don't drink the water!"

Another entrance thru the wall, Mayans were typically only about 5 foot tall, yes I had to duck!

Another view off the cliff side.

That's all folks!